Exploring associations between micro-level models of innovation diffusion and emerging macro-level adoption patterns

A micro-level agent-based model of innovation diffusion was developed that explicitly combines (a) an individual's perception of the advantages or relative utility derived from adoption, and (b) social influence from members of the individual's social network. The micro-model was used to simulate macro-level diffusion patterns emerging from different configurations of micro-model parameters. Micro-level simulation results matched very closely the adoption patterns predicted by the widely-used Bass macro-level model (Bass, 1969). For a portion of the domain, results from micro-simulations were consistent with aggregate-level adoption patterns reported in the literature. Induced Bass macro-level parameters and responded to changes in micro-parameters: (1) increased with the number of innovators and with the rate at which innovators are introduced; (2) increased with the probability of rewiring in small-world networks, as the characteristic path length decreases; and (3) an increase in the overall perceived utility of an innovation caused a corresponding increase in induced and values. Understanding micro to macro linkages can inform the design and assessment of marketing interventions on micro-variables - or processes related to them - to enhance adoption of future products or technologies.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures and a table of supplementary data. Accepted for publicatio

Influencia del tamaño de la semilla asexual y de la profundidad de siembra en el comportamiento de apio.

Quantitative information on the performance of arracacha is limited as to the influence of sett size and depth. Setts for propagation of this crop vary in size and fresh weight. Depth of planting appears to influence yield. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of combinations of sett fresh weight and depth of planting on arracacha's emergence, stand, and dry matter and corm fresh weight at harvest, and to assess the quantity and fresh weight of setts produced by a plant after completing the growing cycle. Plants grown from setts weighing 36 g and 60 g did not differ in dry weight, leaf area, fresh weight of the corm at harvest nor in percentages of emergence and stand. Plants from the setts weighing 16 g had less leaf area, less corm dry weight and fewer percentages of emergence and stand than plants from the setts of 60 g. Planting deeper significantly increased corm fresh and dry weights, but decreased the percentages of emergence and stand. Differences in the size of the setts produced by the plant are in part a consequence of the sequential development of the buds within the corm. In plants sampled at 228 and 256 days after planting the number of setts ranged from 10 to 23, averaging 16 ± 4 SD per plant. At harvest, the fresh weight of individual setts ranged from 9 to 73 g, averaging 38 g ± 20 SD. Avoiding the use of small setts may improve chances for better stand and productivity.La información sobre ía influencia del tamaño de la semilla asexual y su peso fresco sobre el comportamiento de apio es limitada. El tamaño de fa semilla de apio es generalmente variable. Las observaciones de campo sugieren que aumentar la profundidad de siembra puede mejorar los rendimientos. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar la influencia de combinaciones de peso fresco de la semilla y profundidad de siembra sobre la emergencia, la cantidad de plantas que completan ei ciclo de cultivo, y el peso seco y fresco del cormo; y realizar un avalúo de la cantidad y el peso fresco de la semilla que produce una planta al finalizar el ciclo de cultivo. Plantas provenientes de semillas con peso fresco de 36 g y de 60 g fueron similares en peso seco, área foliar, peso fresco del cormo en (a cosecha, y en los porcentajes de emergencia y de plantas que completaron el ciclo de cultivo. Plantas provenientes de semillas con peso fresco de 16 g mostraron menor área foliar, peso seco del cormo y menores porcentajes de emergencia y de plantas que completaron el ciclo de cultivo que plantas de semillas de 60 g. A mayor profundidad de siembra aumentaron los pesos seco y fresco del cormo; sin embargo, se redujo la emergencia y la cantidad de plantas que completaron el ciclo de cultivo. Las diferencias en el tamaño de la semilla de apio son consecuencia, en parte, del desarrollo secuencíal de las yemas apicales en el cormo. A los 228 y 256 días después de la siembra la cantidad de semilfa por planta varió entre 10 y 23, con promedio de 16 ± 4 SD. En la cosecha el peso fresco de la semilla varió entre 9 y 73 g, con promedio de 38 g ± 20 SD. Evitar el uso de semilla pequeña puede mejorar la cantidad de plantas que completan el ciclo de cultivo y la productividad de las mismas

FERTILIZATION OF ARRACACHA IN AN ULTISOL

FERTILIZATION OF ARRACACHA IN AN ULTISO

The Universal Cut Function and Type II Metrics

In analogy with classical electromagnetic theory, where one determines the total charge and both electric and magnetic multipole moments of a source from certain surface integrals of the asymptotic (or far) fields, it has been known for many years - from the work of Hermann Bondi - that energy and momentum of gravitational sources could be determined by similar integrals of the asymptotic Weyl tensor. Recently we observed that there were certain overlooked structures, {defined at future null infinity,} that allowed one to determine (or define) further properties of both electromagnetic and gravitating sources. These structures, families of {complex} `slices' or `cuts' of Penrose's null infinity, are referred to as Universal Cut Functions, (UCF). In particular, one can define from these structures a (complex) center of mass (and center of charge) and its equations of motion - with rather surprising consequences. It appears as if these asymptotic structures contain in their imaginary part, a well defined total spin-angular momentum of the source. We apply these ideas to the type II algebraically special metrics, both twisting and twist-free.Comment: 32 page

Self-Validating Thermocouple

Self-Validating Thermocouple (SVT) Systems capable of detecting sensor probe open circuits, short circuits, and unnoticeable faults such as a probe debonding and probe degradation are useful in the measurement of temperatures. SVT Systems provide such capabilities by incorporating a heating or excitation element into the measuring junction of the thermocouple. By heating the measuring junction and observing the decay time for the detected DC voltage signal, it is possible to indicate whether the thermocouple is bonded or debonded. A change in the thermal transfer function of the thermocouple system causes a change in the rise and decay times of the thermocouple output. Incorporation of the excitation element does not interfere with normal thermocouple operation, thus further allowing traditional validation procedures as well

Correction of manufacturing deviations in waveguide filters and manifold multiplexers using metal insertions

Microwave filters and multiplexers commonly employ tuning screws to compensate for small errors occurring during the fabrication process. Nevertheless, the use of tuning screws has some disadvantages, because the small gaps between the screws and the holes are prone to create unwanted effects when dealing with high-power signals, especially for space applications, and are also the source of potential radiation losses. In this paper, an alternative technique to correct manufacturing deviations is presented, in which tuning screws are replaced by fixed metal insertions. In this case, the correction is made by means of designing new insertion pieces that will be able to correct those small deviations. In order to find the dimensions of the new pieces, a space-mapping technique is applied. For verification purposes, the method has been applied over a circular-waveguide dual-mode filter and later over a manifold multiplexer containing the same type of filters. However, the technique can be directly extended to other types of waveguide filters and multiplexers where tuning screws are also employed.Cogollos Borras, S.; Carceller Candau, C.; Taroncher Calduch, M.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Guglielmi, M.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Brumos Vicente, M. (2015). Correction of manufacturing deviations in waveguide filters and manifold multiplexers using metal insertions. International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies. 7(3):219-227. doi:10.1017/S1759078715000513S21922773Guglielmi, M., Molina, R. C., & Melcon, A. A. (1992). Dual-mode circular waveguide filters without tuning screws. IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, 2(11), 457-458. doi:10.1109/75.165643Steer, M. B., Bandler, J. W., & Snowden, C. M. (2002). Computer-aided design of RF and microwave circuits and systems. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 50(3), 996-1005. doi:10.1109/22.989983Kudsia, C., Cameron, R., & Tang, W.-C. (1992). Innovations in microwave filters and multiplexing networks for communications satellite systems. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 40(6), 1133-1149. doi:10.1109/22.141345Bandler, J. W., Biernacki, R. M., Shao Hua Chen, Hemmers, R. H., & Madsen, K. (1995). Electromagnetic optimization exploiting aggressive space mapping. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 43(12), 2874-2882. doi:10.1109/22.475649Cogollos S. ; Boria V.E. ; Soto P. ; Gimeno B. ; Guglielmi M. : Efficient CAD tool for inductively coupled rectangular waveguide filters with rounded corners, in 31st European Microwave Conf., 24–26 September 2001, 1–4Ke-Li Wu. (1999). An optimal circular-waveguide dual-mode filter without tuning screws. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 47(3), 271-276. doi:10.1109/22.750222Bandler, J. W., Cheng, Q. S., Dakroury, S. A., Mohamed, A. S., Bakr, M. H., Madsen, K., & Sondergaard, J. (2004). Space Mapping: The State of the Art. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 52(1), 337-361. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2003.820904Williams, A. E. (1970). A Four-Cavity Elliptic Waveguide Filter. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 18(12), 1109-1114. doi:10.1109/tmtt.1970.1127419Amari, S., LeDrew, C., & Menzel, W. (2006). Space-mapping optimization of planar coupled-resonator microwave filters. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 54(5), 2153-2159. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2006.872811Brumos M. ; Boria V.E. ; Guglielmi M. ; Cogollos S. : Correction of manufacturing deviations in circular-waveguide dual-mode filters using aggressive space mapping, in European Microwave Conf., Rome, 2014, 624–627.Accatino, L., Bertin, G., & Mongiardo, M. (1996). A four-pole dual mode elliptic filter realized in circular cavity without screws. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 44(12), 2680-2687. doi:10.1109/22.554629Cogollos, S., Brumos, M., Boria, V. E., Vicente, C., Gil, J., Gimeno, B., & Guglielmi, M. (2012). A Systematic Design Procedure of Classical Dual-Mode Circular Waveguide Filters Using an Equivalent Distributed Model. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 60(4), 1006-1017. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2012.2183381Atia, A. E., & Williams, A. E. (1972). Narrow-Bandpass Waveguide Filters. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 20(4), 258-265. doi:10.1109/tmtt.1972.1127732Wu, K.-L., Zhao, Y.-J., Wang, J., & Cheng, M. K. K. (2004). An Effective Dynamic Coarse Model for Optimization Design of LTCC RF Circuits With Aggressive Space Mapping. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 52(1), 393-402. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2003.820901FEST3D 6.8.4 Aurora Software and Testing, S.L. (on behalf of ESA/ESTEC), Valencia, Spain, 2013. Available: http://www.fest3d.com.Bandler, J. W., Biernacki, R. M., Shao Hua Chen, Grobelny, P. A., & Hemmers, R. H. (1994). Space mapping technique for electromagnetic optimization. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 42(12), 2536-2544. doi:10.1109/22.33979

The contribution of Trichoderma to balancing the costs of plant growth and defense

Trichoderma is a fungal genus of cosmopolitan distribution and high biotechnological value, with several species currently used as biological control agents. Additionally, the enzyme systems of the fungus are widely applied in industry. Species of Trichoderma protect plants against the attack of soil-borne plant pathogens by competing for nutrients and inhibiting or killing plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes, through the production of antibiotics and/or hydrolytic enzymes. In addition to the role of Trichoderma spp. as biocontrol agents, they have other benefi cial effects on plants, including the stimulation of plant defenses and the promotion of plant growth. In this review, we focus on the complex plant defense signaling network that allows the recognition of fungi as non-hostile microbes, including microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), damageassociated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and secreted elicitors. We also examine how fungal interactions with plant receptors can activate induced resistance by priming and balancing plant defense and growth responses. Our observations are integrated into a model describing Trichoderma-plant hormone signaling network interactions. [Int Microbiol 2013; 16(2):69-80]Keywords: Trichoderma spp.; plant–Trichoderma symbiosis; Arabidopsis thaliana; phytohormone networking&nbsp

Algal-fungal mutualism: cell recognition and maintenance of the symbiotic status of lichens

Lichens are specific symbiotic associations between photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria and heterotrophic fungi forming a double entity in which both components coexist. Specificity required for the lichen establishment can be defined in this context as the preferential, but not exclusive, association of a biont with another, since the algal factor susceptible to be recognized is an inducible protein. Recognition of compatible algal cells is performed by specific lectins produced and secreted by the potential mycobiont. Some lectins from phycolichens and cyanolichens are glycosylated arginases which bind to an algal cell wall receptor, identified as a a-1, 4-polygalactosylated urease. However, other ligands exist which bind other lectins specific for mannose or glucose. This implies that, after recognition of a potential, compatible partner, other fungal lectins could determine the final success of the association. Since the fungus can parasitize non - recognized partners during the development of the association, the success after the first contact needs of a set of algal cells, the number of which was sufficient to prevent that the death of a certain number of them makes fail the symbiosis. Fungal lectins act as chemo tactic factors in such a way that algae and cyanobacteria move towards the hyphae, to acquire that critical size of the colony, by means of successive contractions and relaxation of the actomyosin cytoskeleton in absence of any motile appendages